Chapter 40I Next
<strong>[The level of your Asrahan Core Technique has increased.]</strong>
Raciels eyes were met with a new notification.
The lingering numbness in his body subsided.
Raciel took a moment to ease his pain, then took a deep breath, attentively reading the ongoing messages.
<strong>[Skill Name: Asrahan Core Technique]</strong>
<strong>[Level: Single Circle Lv. 2]</strong>
<strong>[It absorbs nearby mana, processes/amplifies it in a circle around the heart, and utilizes it. The amplification rate increases significantly with each additional circle.]</strong>
<strong>[Mana Amplification Rate: 130%]</strong>
<strong>[HP required for the next level up: 1,200]</strong>
<strong>[Current HP: 200]</strong>
The Core Technique had leveled up, resulting in a 10% increase in the amplification rate. But the messages didnt stop there.
<strong>Ding-dong!</strong>
<em>Could there be more rewards?</em>
And his intuition proved correct.
<strong>[You have excellently endured the intense electrical stimtion within a short period.]</strong>
<strong>[As a result of this stimtion, the metal energy in the lungs and colon has been activated, surpassing the wood energy.]</strong>
<strong>[Following the principle of Metal Conquers Wood (), the liver, which represents the wood element among the Five Viscera and Six Bowels, has awakened.]</strong>
<strong>[Your liver has awakened.]</strong>
<strong>[Lungs: Wee to the team, neer!]</strong>
<strong>[Heart: Huh? A newbie?]</strong>
<strong>[Spleen: Sple hahaha.]</strong>
<strong>[Colon: Am I not the youngest anymore? Dont be scared, bro, haha.]</strong>
<strong>[Your liver has contributed 300 HP as sponsorship.]</strong>
<strong>[Your spleen, heart, and colon, happy about the new member, have contributed 500 HP as sponsorship.]</strong>
<strong>[A birthday party for your liver is taking ce within you, granting you an additional 300 HP.]</strong>
<strong>[Current HP: 1,300]</strong>
Suddenly, a new member joined Raciels Five Viscera and Six Bowels. He clenched his fist.
<em>Excellent. Truly excellent!</em>
He received a substantial amount of HP sponsorship.
But it wasnt just that.
HP was a valuable resource that allowed him to create skills or summon Phantom Beasts. And the precious contributors of this HP were the Five Viscera and Six Bowels.
Now, with the birth of a new member among these organs, Raciel would be able to receive even more HP in the future. It was an unexpected gain.
Just then, another message interrupted his thoughts.
<strong>Ding-dong!</strong>
<em>Hmm?</em>
The seemingly endless series of messages continued.
<strong>[You have sessfully treated the patient, George, with an aggressive yet decisive approach. He will be freed from his chronic seizures and live a morefortable and stable life. In his original future, George would have resorted to alcohol to cope with the pain of his seizures, eventually developing liver disease and passing away at the age of 56. However, thanks to your intervention, the future has changed, and he will enjoy a rtively healthy old age.]</strong>
<strong>[The Medical Billing (Lv. 2) skill has been activated.]</strong>
<em>Oh?</em>
<strong>[By utilizing your unique Micro Nerve Stimtion procedure, patient Georges life expectancy has been extended by 14 years and 7 months. As a result, you are granted a bonus life equivalent to 1/1950 of 14 years and 7 months.]</strong>
<strong>[A bonus life of 2.69 days has been calcted.]</strong>
<strong>[The minimum unit of life used for calction is one day.]</strong>
<strong>[The calcted bonus life has been rounded up.]</strong>
<strong>[A total of 3 days of bonus life has been granted.]</strong>
<strong>[Your expected life expectancy: 161 days]</strong>
This time, Raciel acquired bonus life as well.
The oue exceeded his expectations.
Taking a deep breath, Raciel raised his head and nced around. The first person heid his eyes upon was George, the child he had just treated.
Huh? Eh?
George appeared perplexed.
Um, I feel strange.
The child tried to leap up from his seat, but Raciel swiftly extracted the spine from his body. Observing George, he couldnt help but smile.
Indeed, it must feel strange.
And it did. The onset of a seizure was imminent, yet it vanished. The child examined his entire body, utterly astounded.
This Its never happened before. Usually, when I get goosebumps and feel this way sparks start shing before my eyes, I break out in a cold sweat I cant move on my own, and so on.
But it didnt happen this time, did it?
No.
And it wont happen in the future.
Really?
You wont have to suffer anymore.
Really?
Georges eyes grew increasingly puzzled, as if questioning the meaning behind Raciels words. It was as though they found it unbelievable. And rightly so. Having endured epilepsy all his life, who could easily believe that the pain would vanish overnight?
Raciel gently helped the child to his feet, meeting his gaze at eye level. Locking eyes with George, he spoke carefully.
I promise you. Yourepletely healed now. You wont experience any more pain. The sudden sense of strangeness leading to loss of consciousness, the copsing and convulsions without cause, being teased or avoided by other children because of itnone of that will happen again.
Really?
Yes.
Really, really?
Really, really.
Raciel beamed.
If Im lying, you can be the crown prince starting tomorrow.
Ehem. Everyone, heed my words.
Oh
Raciel yfully tousled Georges hair. Laughter emanated from beneath the tousled strands.
Raciel found himselfughing as well. Somehow, he felt like he could understand, even if only a little, how George felt at that moment.
<em>When I was young, I experienced a simr moment.</em>
Suddenly, a memory from when he was nine years old resurfaced.
Was it during his ytime with friends in the neighborhood? He had severely sprained his right ankle, causing it to swell immensely. The pain was excruciating, rendering him unable to walk. His mother had carried him to a local Oriental medicine clinic.
He couldnt recall if it was a legitimate Oriental medicine clinic or a moxibustion clinic. An elderly man with impaired vision worked there. He had inserted needles into Raciels ankle and several other points. At first, it had been frightening, anxiety-inducing, and ufortable.
But after the acupuncture
His ankle, which had been throbbing with pain, waspletely healed! He couldnt walk on the way to the clinic, but on the way back, he sprinted all the way home. It felt like a true miracle. Perhaps that childhood experience had influenced his decision to be an Oriental Medicine doctor.
<em>I wonder if that ce still exists.</em>
The nameless Oriental medicine clinic in the neighborhood where he had once resided. It was located under the overpass in front of Seokpo Elementary School near the Busan UN Cemetery. If possible, Raciel wished he could showcase his acupuncture skills to the old man or even learn from him.
<em>At any rate, I felt just like this back then.</em>
The sheer amazement of running home after receiving acupuncture treatment. As he gazed at Georges flushed face, the memory of his own tion resurfaced, and a smile graced Raciels lips.
Moreover, there was more good news.
<em>And it was a sess.</em>
Raciel surveyed his surroundings.
Court Magician Zis. Gardin and Demian. The diators of the Special Duty squad. The Star Pce guards, eunuchs, and even the maids. All eyes were fixed on Raciel and George, filled with astonishment.
Among them, one person stood out the most
George!
A maid emerged from the crowd, her voice ringing out. As soon as George spotted her, he responded eagerly.
Sister!
The siblings embraced each other, filled with joy. The boy had a bright smile on his face, and the maid couldnt hold back her tears of happiness. Raciel, too, was deeply moved by the scene unfolding before him.
<em>Ah, Im one step closer. Closer to the dream of wealth and honor.</em>
He had sessfully cured the boys epilepsy, and everyone in the Star Pce had witnessed the miraculous process. They had seen him endure the electric magic and witnessed the boys impending seizure subside. They had all been on the edge of their seats, cheering him on.
This moment would be etched in their memories forever. They would share this story with anyone they met, spreading it like a rumor.
Have you heard? If you go to the Star Pce, your ailments can be cured!
And then Raciel would heal them, earning a bonus lifespan in return. A future of longevity and prosperity awaited him. Trembling with anticipation and happiness, Raciel couldnt contain his excitement.
But suddenly, without warning, his legs gave way beneath him.
<strong>Thud.</strong>
Huh?
Was it because of the tension he had been under while performing the procedure? Was it the strain of enduring the electric magic? Or perhaps it was due to his exhaustion from staying awake day and night, assisting the Court Magician. It could have been abination of all these factors.
<em>My strength</em>
Raciel felt his energy draining away, as if the tide was receding. He couldnt recall when he had slumped down, but he noticed the concerned faces of those rushing towards him.
<em>Am I going to faint?</em>
Indeed, thats exactly what happened.
Consciousness slipped away rapidly, like sinking into a deep slumber. And then, he realized.
He had forgotten. He was still a patient with a fragile constitution.
With a wry smile, he epted this realization.
The world faded into darkness.
When Raciel opened his eyes again, it was deep into the night. He stared nkly at the ceiling for a moment.
<em>Did I sleep the entire day?</em>
It seemed entirely possible.
He had pushed himself too far in so many ways. After all, he was still a frail patient with a terminal illness.
Your Highness?
He heard a voice calling out to him. He saw Gardins face, filled with relief.
Are you awake?
Demian, who had been standing beside Gardin, also quickly rose to his feet. Court Magician Zis was standing behind them.
Raciel couldnt help but let out a bitterugh.
Whats going on? Did everyone gather around just to watch me sleep?
It felt rather embarrassing.
Just as he was about to voice hisint
Weve been so worried, watching and hoping for your recovery, Your Highness, Gardin choked up, her voice trembling.
Raciel was taken aback.
What? Why? What happened?
Sniffles filled the air.
Isnt it obvious? Youve been unconscious for two days, and you only just woke up now.
What?
Two days since he had fallen asleep
At first, he couldnt believe it.
But when he looked at Gardin, who was truly crying, and Demian, who nodded slightly, it became clear that it wasnt a joke.
Breaking the silence, Court Magician Zis spoke.
I was contemting how to inform His Majesty of this situation.
Tch. I shouldnt have burdened you. I apologize.
No, Your Highness. I am relieved to see you safe.
Zis wasnt unaffected either. His face bore the weight of exhaustion. It seemed that he had kept vigil while Raciel was unconscious, without getting any rest.
It was likely.
The Crown Prince who had fainted from bearing the burden of his lightning magic. A prince who hadnt awakened for two whole days. Anxiety must have gued everyone. But suddenly, a question sprang to Raciels mind.
Where is George?
<em>What happened to the child? I hope he didnt have another seizure in the past two days.</em>
The answer didnte from Gardin, Demian, or Zis, but from someone unexpected.
Im perfectly fine, you know?
Huh?
Peeking out from between Gardin and Demian was Georges small face. Seeing him, Raciel couldnt help but smile.
Why are you here?
Ive been bothering this gentleman, George subtly nced at Gardin, who coughed awkwardly.
Then the child said, I wanted to give you this when you woke up.
As he spoke, George timidly extended his hand. Raciel looked at the object in the childs hand and burst intoughter.
<em>What is this?</em>
The item George was holding out was a ne.
It was a simple ne made from a string, with a roughly carved heart shape on a piece of wood. It was in and crude,cking any mour or value. Raciel suppressed a bitterugh and asked, Did you make this while I was asleep?
George nodded shyly. Despite the dim candlelight, his blushing face was clearly visible.
Raciel inwardly clicked his tongue.
<em>Its a bit burdensome.</em>
Truth be told, it was an extremely crude ne. Even though George had put his heart into making it, it felt embarrassing to wear such a ne around his neck.
<em>Maybe I shouldnt ept it.</em>
If he wasnt going to wear it, it would be better not to ept it.
He pondered for a moment, but then said, You did a wonderful job.
Raciel smiled warmly and epted the ne, gently patting Georges head.
This is more amazing than any morous jewelry Ive ever worn.
Really? Georges face lit up.
Raciel nodded as if it were obvious. Yes, and the greatest reward I have received is your recovery.
As he said this, Raciel nced around the room.
Sniff!
Gardins eyes welled up with tears, deeply moved by the scene. Demian and Zis smiled warmly. Even the two royal guards, who had been standing guard at a distance, were captivated by the heartwarming moment.
Seeing their reactions, Raciel couldnt help but smile.
<em>Phew, good. I yed that line well.</em>
He had barely managed to tolerate the cheesiness of the moment.
But it worked.
After all, everythinges down to the conclusion. The end of a beautiful act of kindness, even if its cheesy, should evoke a touching sentiment. This way, the medical case would spread as a heartwarming story, bing a powerful word-of-mouth tale. Thats why Raciel happily epted the ne and even delivered a somewhat touching line.
It was a sess.
Now, everyone can rx. But Im a bit tired, so Id like to rest alone, Raciel said, looking at everyone with a weary expression. He then ushered them out of the bedroom. Finally, he let out a big sigh.
Phew.
Perhaps due to the insincere acting, he felt a strange atmosphere. Hey there, staring nkly at the ceiling for a while. Lying down, he raised his hand.
The ne given by George. It was very crude, too embarrassing to wear. A pitiful and insignificant ne.
He chuckled to himself,ughing quietly.
Who would wear something like this
Raciel murmured and turned over. Slowly, he fell asleep, with the crude and embarrassing ne hanging around his neck.I Next